How do Employment Conditions and Psychosocial Workplace Exposures Impact the Mental Health of Young Workers? A Systematic Review

Marissa Shields et al

Keywords: Young Workers, Mental Health, Employment Conditions, Psychosocial Exposure, Systematic Review

The Study: This systematic review assessed how employment conditions (e.g., contract type, working hours, precarious employment, and job insecurity) and psychosocial workplace exposures (e.g., harassment, bullying, social support, job demand and control, effort–reward imbalance, and organizational justice) impact the mental health of young workers aged ≤ 30 years. Nine international studies published up to January 2021 were included.

Main Findings: Most studies were at moderate to serious risk of bias, limiting the strength of evidence. Nevertheless, findings showed that exposure to sexual harassment, poor psychosocial job quality, and low job control were associated with poorer mental health outcomes, including increased risk of depression among young workers. Precarious employment was also linked to higher symptoms of mental disorders.

Practical Implications: Enhancing job quality for young people by strengthening employment conditions and reducing psychosocial risks is crucial to protect mental health during the transition to adulthood. The review underscores the need for more rigorous research and policies that account for the mental health impacts of employment conditions, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context.

Reference: Shields, M., Dimov, S., Kavanagh, A., Milner, A., Spittal, M. J., & King, T. L. (2021). How do employment conditions and psychosocial workplace exposures impact the mental health of young workers? A systematic review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 56, 1147–1160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02077-x

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